What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 3:13? Ahaz his son • 1 Chronicles 3:13 records the next link in David’s royal line: “Ahaz his son”. By simply stating the succession, the Chronicler affirms that even a wayward king cannot break God’s covenant promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). • Ahaz ruled Judah about 735-715 BC. Scripture describes him as a king who “did not do what was right in the sight of the LORD” and who “even passed his son through the fire” (2 Kings 16:2-4). • His reign illustrates: – The danger of trusting human alliances instead of the LORD (he sought help from Assyria; 2 Chronicles 28:16-21). – The polluting effect of idolatry on the nation (2 Chronicles 28:22-25). • Yet the genealogical mention reminds us that God preserves the Messianic line despite human failure. Matthew 1:9 repeats the same name, showing that Christ’s lineage includes sinners redeemed by grace. Hezekiah his son • The next phrase reads, “Hezekiah his son”. Hezekiah reigned 715-686 BC and “did what was right in the sight of the LORD” (2 Kings 18:3). • Highlights of his reign: – Temple purification and national revival (2 Chronicles 29–31). – Bold faith when Assyria besieged Jerusalem; the LORD “struck down 185,000” in answer to prayer (2 Kings 19:35). – Personal deliverance: added fifteen years to his life after heartfelt prayer (2 Kings 20:1-6). • This contrast with his father Ahaz underscores that one generation’s sins do not doom the next; repentance and obedience restore blessing (Deuteronomy 30:2-3). • By noting Hezekiah in the lineage, the Chronicler highlights how genuine faith can shine brightly in a dark era, keeping hope alive for the ultimate Son of David. Manasseh his son • The verse finishes, “Manasseh his son”. Manasseh reigned the longest—55 years (2 Kings 21:1)—and began as Judah’s most wicked monarch: he “shed so much innocent blood” and “led Judah astray” (2 Kings 21:16, 9). • Key lessons from his life: – Sin’s depth: he rebuilt the pagan altars his father had torn down (2 Chronicles 33:3-5). – Grace’s reach: in Assyrian captivity “he sought the favor of the LORD his God… and the LORD was moved” (2 Chronicles 33:12-13). His repentance shows no one is beyond God’s mercy. – Ongoing consequences: though forgiven, his earlier sins set patterns that later generations struggled to uproot (2 Kings 23:26-27). • By recording Manasseh’s place in the genealogy, Scripture demonstrates that salvation history moves forward through imperfect people, culminating in the only perfect King, Jesus (Luke 1:32-33). summary 1 Chronicles 3:13 strings together three kings—Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh—to trace the unbroken promise God made to David. Ahaz shows sin cannot nullify God’s covenant; Hezekiah displays how faith restores and blesses; Manasseh proves grace can reach the worst offender. The verse, though brief, testifies that God faithfully preserves a royal line through highs and lows until it blossoms in Christ, assuring us that His purposes stand firm in every generation. |
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